Hair I Go Again is a compelling documentary film released in 2016 that follows the journey of a group of middle-aged men who attempt to reignite their long-lost dreams of rock stardom. Directed by Steve McClure, the film features iconic heavy metal personalities Ron Keel, Eddie Trunk, and Kyle Kruger. The film begins by introducing us to Steve McClure, a former rock fan himself who now works as a filmmaker. He explains to us how the idea for the film came about after a conversation with his friend, Kyle Kruger, who shared with him his dream of reuniting his old band. With that, McClure decided to document the journey of the group and their efforts to reignite their passion for rock and roll music.
The documentary is structured in a nonlinear fashion, flashing back and forth between the present day and the past to provide the audience with insight into the struggles faced by the band members in their youth, which eventually led them to abandon their musical aspirations. We learn that despite the varying paths that each member has taken, they all share a common goal of achieving their dreams and making their music known to the world.
The core of the documentary revolves around the group's quest to reunite, reform, and perform a concert gig to live audiences. It takes them across the United States, reconnecting with old friends and bandmates, who offer glimpses into the lives of the band members in their heyday. We are witness to a myriad of obstacles and challenges that the band members face, including the practicalities of getting the band back together after decades, the inherent hurdles of the music industry, and the difficulty of being taken seriously as older musicians.
One of the unique features of Hair I Go Again is the number of high-profile musicians who appear in the film, sharing their insights, and experience from their own musical journeys. The roster of celebrities who grace the film includes the likes of Frank Hannon, Jeff Keith, Kix Brooks, and Mark Slaughter, among several others. Their insights are remarkable and offer an exclusive perspective into the music industry, which few people get to see.
Throughout the documentary, we get to learn more about each musician's individual story and relive some of their most outstanding performances through a series of interviews, archival footage, radio appearances, and concert clips. We get to witness the formidable chemistry that still exists within the group and the rollercoaster of emotions that the band members experience every step of the way.
Overall, Hair I Go Again is an engaging and uplifting documentary, offering an inspiring story of self-discovery, friendship, and perseverance. The film is not just for die-hard metal fans, but for anyone who has dared to dream, and fight for their passions, and who has dared to live their lives on their own terms. The soundtrack is also a big plus, featuring fantastic music from some of the most significant rock bands of the 80s and 90s.
To put it succinctly, Hair I Go Again is a documentary that will leave music lovers feeling inspired and amazed, reminding them that it's never too late to strive for your dreams, and that you can achieve anything with the right mindset, attitude, and persistence.
Hair I Go Again is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.
